The Malawi National Netball Team arrived in the United Kingdom (UK) Tuesday beaming with confidence ahead of their international friendly match against British Army tonight.

The Queens will use the friendly match to assess the squad before the Vitality Netball Nations Cup 2025 starts on Saturday.

Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) Vice Treasurer Anastasia Kaphale said the team was thrilled to face the army side before the Quad Series throws off.

“The team has travelled well, with great enthusiasm and high spirits, as players prepare for the upcoming friendly match against the British Army.

“Being their first time playing against the British Army, everyone is excited for the challenge ahead and are looking forward to giving it their all on the court,” Kaphale said.

Malawi will face Army Netball at Loughborough University Centre.

Kaphale said Nam had advised Malawi Queens co-coaches Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa and Mary Waya to focus on building a new team to reclaim glory.

“In the meantime, the focus is on seeing improvement. We should be better than we were last year,” she said.

Meanwhile, Leeds Rhinos shooter Joyce Mvula is expected to join the rest of the squad today.

However, it was yet to be established if Mvula would be part of the friendly match.

Nam, with support from their sponsors Nico Group and government through the Malawi National Council of Sports, has embarked on a three-year project to rebuild the senior side and also raise junior national teams.

The Queens will begin their campaign against the hosts England on February 1 before meeting Uganda on February 2 at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.

Malawi will then face South Africa at Copper Box Arena in London.

The top two teams would qualify for the final, with the bottom two battling for bronze at the same venue on February 9.